- Email: [email protected]
Bes computer and microprocessor group
BES COMPUTER AND MICROPROCESSOR GROUP MRC Clinical
Research
Centre, Harrow,
UK 18 March
The meeting, attended by about 40 people, consisted of the AGM followed by some informal lectures and a visit to the Division of Bioengineering. The first lecture was by Dr La1 of Chelsea College who outlined an interesting system for physiological signal processing based on a Research Machine’s microcomputer and which could be used for experimental work and for teaching. Dr Damper from Southampton University then reviewed the present state of voice input/output technology and suggested that, while voice output had now reached an acceptable standard, voice recognition still tended to be difficult and expensive. The third talk was by Mr Hruska from Oxford who described a time-of-flight blood flowmeter controlled by a microprocessor intended for use in home dialysis units. The final talk was given by Mr W.J. Perkins of the National Institute for Medical Research who described a software package for the reconstruction of three-dimensional biological images from serial sections of the structure. In the afternoon,
of the Division of Bioengineering (headed by Dr H.S. Wolff) an d saw several interesting projects, including a microprocessor controlled thermometer for use in fertility studies and contraception, 24 h ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure using the Oxford Instrument’s Medilog System, the literature retrieval system FAIR which is held on a microcomputer and an alarm system for the elderly based on automatic dialling to a computer, situated at present in the Division, which automatically contacts local persons who can go to the assistance of the elderly person in an emergency. The lectures and, the demonstrations were enjoyed by all those who attended. The general opinion was that such informal meetings (with no registration fee) are very attractive and should be encouraged. A feature of these meetings, held at centres where demonstrations can be given, is that they provide a good opportunity for those attending to discuss common interests with each other.
the Group visited the laboratories
BIOENGINEERING EDUCATION Leeds,UK
1981
9 January
W.J.
Perkins
ASPECTS OF SPORTS INJURY AND PHYSICAL
1981
A marvellous mixture of medicine and mechanics comprised the Annual Conference on Growing Points in Bioengineering of Joints, organized by the Biological Engineering Society and the Bioengineering Group for the Study of Human Joints at the University of Leeds. This year’s topic was ‘Bioengineering aspects of sports injury and physical education’. Overviews of the medical aspects and of the present state of the art of biomechanics in this field were given by Ian Adams (Physician in Charge of the Sports Clinic, Leeds) and Mike Lindsay (Physical Education Department of the University of Leeds and former national shot-putter). Sporting injuries vary from blistering of the feet to fracture of the shaft of the humerus sustained during bartop arm wrestling. Those most likely to sustain injuries are the 40 pint per week sportsmen during their training. The best protected is the neuro-muscular timing genius. The importance of proprioceptive protection of the knee was also advocated by Mr. King (Orthopaedic Surgeon of London), although not everyone was as convinced as he that the ligaments and tendons took up relatively little energy on deceleration. Aerodynamic
knowledge has certainly improved the performance of ski jumpers, and biomechanical principles have been applied to the production of Eastern European champions in swimming and field events. One Eastern European champion, Olga Korbett, had stimulated the Strathclyde Group to measure the forces exerted on gymnasts during hip beat exercises on the asymetric bars - it is about three times body weight, and the better the performer the higher the force. We learned that the defending ladies’ champion in ice skating, aged 17, was unable to participate recently due to a stress fracture, and that Robin Cousins, now aged 23, has had menisci removed from his knees. The elegant work of Dr Bahaa Seedhom (ARC Lecturer in Bioengineering) suggests this bodes no good for him, since these structures bear up to 90% of the body load. Impact absorption on landing from a jump is important in many types of athletics, from pole vaulting as the highest to hurdling, playing basketball, etc. Adrian Lees (Liverpool) showed that there was over 100% difference between hard and soft landings. The impact can be reduced by training,
J.
Biomed.
Engng.
1981,
Vol.
3,
July
251
Research
Centre, Harrow,
UK 18 March
The meeting, attended by about 40 people, consisted of the AGM followed by some informal lectures and a visit to the Division of Bioengineering. The first lecture was by Dr La1 of Chelsea College who outlined an interesting system for physiological signal processing based on a Research Machine’s microcomputer and which could be used for experimental work and for teaching. Dr Damper from Southampton University then reviewed the present state of voice input/output technology and suggested that, while voice output had now reached an acceptable standard, voice recognition still tended to be difficult and expensive. The third talk was by Mr Hruska from Oxford who described a time-of-flight blood flowmeter controlled by a microprocessor intended for use in home dialysis units. The final talk was given by Mr W.J. Perkins of the National Institute for Medical Research who described a software package for the reconstruction of three-dimensional biological images from serial sections of the structure. In the afternoon,
of the Division of Bioengineering (headed by Dr H.S. Wolff) an d saw several interesting projects, including a microprocessor controlled thermometer for use in fertility studies and contraception, 24 h ambulatory monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure using the Oxford Instrument’s Medilog System, the literature retrieval system FAIR which is held on a microcomputer and an alarm system for the elderly based on automatic dialling to a computer, situated at present in the Division, which automatically contacts local persons who can go to the assistance of the elderly person in an emergency. The lectures and, the demonstrations were enjoyed by all those who attended. The general opinion was that such informal meetings (with no registration fee) are very attractive and should be encouraged. A feature of these meetings, held at centres where demonstrations can be given, is that they provide a good opportunity for those attending to discuss common interests with each other.
the Group visited the laboratories
BIOENGINEERING EDUCATION Leeds,UK
1981
9 January
W.J.
Perkins
ASPECTS OF SPORTS INJURY AND PHYSICAL
1981
A marvellous mixture of medicine and mechanics comprised the Annual Conference on Growing Points in Bioengineering of Joints, organized by the Biological Engineering Society and the Bioengineering Group for the Study of Human Joints at the University of Leeds. This year’s topic was ‘Bioengineering aspects of sports injury and physical education’. Overviews of the medical aspects and of the present state of the art of biomechanics in this field were given by Ian Adams (Physician in Charge of the Sports Clinic, Leeds) and Mike Lindsay (Physical Education Department of the University of Leeds and former national shot-putter). Sporting injuries vary from blistering of the feet to fracture of the shaft of the humerus sustained during bartop arm wrestling. Those most likely to sustain injuries are the 40 pint per week sportsmen during their training. The best protected is the neuro-muscular timing genius. The importance of proprioceptive protection of the knee was also advocated by Mr. King (Orthopaedic Surgeon of London), although not everyone was as convinced as he that the ligaments and tendons took up relatively little energy on deceleration. Aerodynamic
knowledge has certainly improved the performance of ski jumpers, and biomechanical principles have been applied to the production of Eastern European champions in swimming and field events. One Eastern European champion, Olga Korbett, had stimulated the Strathclyde Group to measure the forces exerted on gymnasts during hip beat exercises on the asymetric bars - it is about three times body weight, and the better the performer the higher the force. We learned that the defending ladies’ champion in ice skating, aged 17, was unable to participate recently due to a stress fracture, and that Robin Cousins, now aged 23, has had menisci removed from his knees. The elegant work of Dr Bahaa Seedhom (ARC Lecturer in Bioengineering) suggests this bodes no good for him, since these structures bear up to 90% of the body load. Impact absorption on landing from a jump is important in many types of athletics, from pole vaulting as the highest to hurdling, playing basketball, etc. Adrian Lees (Liverpool) showed that there was over 100% difference between hard and soft landings. The impact can be reduced by training,
J.
Biomed.
Engng.
1981,
Vol.
3,
July
251